16. We Believe

We Believe: Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms for Worship. Mathew B. Sims. 2015. 360 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence (from the introduction): My parents prioritized family worship--but we never used creeds, catechism, and confessions. My parents were former Roman Catholics who were suspicious of these tools because of religious baggage.

We Believe is a collection of confessions, catechisms, and creeds. The book is edited by Mathew B. Sims. The book includes a few pieces that are neither confessions, catechisms, or creeds. There are a handful of 'commentary' pieces or prefaces and the like. 

The book is organized into faith traditions. It opens with the 'Catholic' creeds (Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed), before moving on to other traditions. The other traditions are: The Dutch Reformed Tradition (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dordts); The Scottish-English Tradition (The Westminster Confession of Faith, Westminster Shorter Catechism); The Particular Baptist Tradition (1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith); German-Lutheran Tradition (The Augsburg Confession; Luther's Small Catechism); and finally the Anglican Tradition (The Thirty-Nine Articles; An Outline of the Faith, Commonly Called the Catechism). While the book may not be absolutely complete and thorough, I think it provides more than enough of a 'sample' of what creeds, confessions, and catechisms contain, what they are all about. Readers can see--if they read it cover to cover--what subjects are covered, how they agree with one another, or, perhaps at times how they differ from one another. Some are definitely more practical for daily/weekly practical use. Others seem more of a reference.

I bought this one because I wanted my creeds, confessions, and catechisms all in one place. There are a handful that I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. In particular, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and the Belgic Confession. (I also love The Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed.) 

This book was just what I wanted--expected--needed. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible